🐹 WHoo's at Trackside 🦉🦉

Good morning, Bellingham. This is your Friday update from The Hamster Wheel.

Have fun, and stay safe out there!

~ Evan

Nature, Community, Sasquatch, UAP

Photos From the Hoods

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Whatcom Weather

The Raindrop Report

Events, Updates & News Around Town

Get off the Hamster Wheel

The Light of Hope Returning

Vox Pacifica, a Bellingham-based choir of alto and soprano singers, is offering a musical homage to the holiday season with two performances of WinterSong 2025 – The Light of Hope Returning, Shawn Kirchner’s American folk oratorio for the winter solstice. The concerts take place tonight, December 5 at 7 pm, and tomorrow, December 6 at 3 pm at the First Congregational Church of Bellingham.

Under the direction of artistic director Wendy Bloom, 👇️ the ensemble will be joined by a chamber group including fiddle, cello, bass, flute, and saxophone, bringing together elements of folk, gospel, bluegrass, and jazz.

The performance will be accompanied by hand-drawn animations from Syrian-American artist Kevork Mourad, and 5% of ticket sales will benefit the Bellingham Food Bank. Tickets are available for both performances.

Reader Emma Herlinger sent me a note about a speaker series that kicks off tonight, from 5 to 7 pm, with Washington Employee Ownership Stories—A1DesignBuild, a worker cooperative. It looks fascinating.

Hosted by the Washington Center for Employee Ownership (which is apparently based here in Bellingham) and A1DesignBuild, the evening will be a chance to learn how A-1 Builders made the transition to a worker-owned cooperative. You’ll hear directly from founder Rick Dubrow, current employee-owner Shawn Serdahl, and Andrew Cline the consultant who guided the process. As of my writing this, there are five spots left.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Friday
Stimpson Family Nature Reserve: Join Whatcom Land Trust as they focus on removing invasive English holly, creeping buttercup, and herb Robert along the trail. Register.

Saturday
Birchwood Park: Join the city in removing invasive species, mulching, and planting at Birchwood Park near the pump track. Register.
Deer Creek: NSEA with landowners, volunteers, and Fourth Corner Fly Fishers have been planting a buffer along Deer Creek in recent years. Help them maintain this young buffer so that salmonids can continue enjoying cold, clean, and clear water that restoration can bring them. Register.

Local Business Updates

Haggling With Local Folk

Ladies Night at LFS

It’s pretty hard to beat LFS when it comes time for Christmas shopping. Xtratufs for the kiddos, crab pots for dad (hint hint), or a downrigger for that special someone. 💘 It’s where you find stuff for anyone that likes to get out in the muck!

Tonight, December 5 from 5 to 8 pm, they are kicking off their holiday season with a Ladies Night (that’s open to all).

There’ll be raffles and giveaways all night, with prizes ranging from stocking stuffers to big-ticket items like a $500 LFS gift card, a stand-up paddleboard, and gear from brands like Grundéns, Darn Tough, and Scotty.

Even if you don’t win the raffle, there will be free lattes and cocoa from Xtreme Bean Espresso and live tunes from KAFE 104.1, so there’s really no losing at this one. 😉 

Holiday Markets & Bazaar

Fruitcake For Hamsters ✊

Holiday Market, Elizabeth Station (Sun 12-4)
Many new and returning local vendors, plus mulled wine, hot cocoa and tasty holiday beers.

Holiday Bazaar, Lummi Island Grange (Sat 10-2)
20 artists and crafters will be selling their wares at the Beach School on Centerview Road.

Holiday Makers Market, Lost Giants Cider Company (Sat 2-6)
Over 20 local vendors and artisans, plus cider, beer, wine, and food trucks.

Holiday Gift Bazaar, Unity of Bellingham (Sat 11-5)
Books, Nature Photographs, Paintings and Journals by James and Lisa Papp Mosaic Art, Candleholders and Greeting Cards by Harmony Thiessen.

Holiday Market, ROAM Coffee (Fri 4-7)
Shop local with a dozen talented vendors, yummy food, and cider and beer specials.

Holiday Festival of the Arts, Sunset Square in the old Rite Aid (daily, 10-6)
Over 100 booths with local artisans and craftspeople presenting their holiday goodies; consisting of one-of-a-kind gifts, specialty food and treats, stunning jewelry, and paintings.

Holiday Books & Bakes Sale, Sudden Valley Library (Sat 12-4)
Browse a collection of gently used books and pick up some festive holiday cookies, all while supporting Friends of the South Whatcom Library.

Holiday Market, Aslan Brewing (Sat 3-8)
Live music, craft vendors, and cocktail specials.

Holiday Craft Sale, 2468 Pine Drive, Ferndale (Fri-Sun 9-5)
From what I’m hearing, there’s a very industrious crafter names Annie in Ferndale who spends all year making ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, pickled veggies - and every type of jam, jelly, and preserve imaginable. She also has gift baskets of her items, homemade baby blankets, holiday wreaths, dog treats, baked goods (loaves, cookies, pies, etc), and seasoned packages of nuts. What’s not to love! 🤷 

Pacific Arts Holiday Market, Bellis Fair Mall (Fri-Sun 10-7)
40 artists and creators on site, so while you're browsing, you can have a conversation with the makers themselves!

Food & Drink

Hamsters Gotta Eat

Because it’s fun to be a lookie-loo

Crash an Open House

3447 Robertson Road (Open Sat 12-3 pm)
It’s not often that homes pop up in Whatcom County at this price that include a beach in the back yard! 🏖️ And honestly, the house is kind of cute, with a rustic beachfront cabin vibe. Listing.

805 11th Street (Open Sat 11-3 pm)
I adore these little Victorian’s that dot 11th on the drive into Fairhaven. They are like little old-Bellingham holdouts fighting the tide of new condos. Stay strong you little 3-bed, 3-bath beauty! ✊ Listing.

Performance Arts This Week

Dance of The Hamsters

LIVE ARTS & FILM

The Claire
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever | Thurs-Sun

iDiOM Theater
Shark Tank: Island Time Edition | Thurs-Sat

Bellingham Circus Guild
Aerial Showcase | Thurs-Sun

BAAY
Esme’s Adventures in Another World | Fri-Sun

Blaine High School
Christmas in Oz | Fri-Sun

New Prospect Theatre
Watch Out For Flying Chairs | Thurs-Sat

Bellingham Theatre Guild
Sister Act | Fri-Sun

FireHouse Arts & Events Center
A Holiday Evening of Belly Dance (Dance) | Sat

The Upfront Theatre
Various performances

PARTICIPATORY DANCE

Sunset Silent Disco - Zuanich - Sat 4:00 pm
Salsa Collective - The Majestic - Sun 5:30 pm
Open Floor Movement - Presence Studio - Sun 10:30 am

Events & Nightlife

Spinning Into The Night

FEATURED

The Community Ukulele Players are celebrating the holidays with two free performances at local venues. Enjoy holiday music amid the decorated Rotunda Room in Old City Hall on Sunday, December 7, at 1 pm, then catch a second show on Monday, December 8, at 3:30 pm at the Firehouse Arts and Event Center, featuring a collaboration with Vintage Strings.

The Jenner Fox Band brings A John Prine Christmas, to the New Prospect Theatre this Sunday. The evening will weave together Prines classic hits, his holiday themed songs, stories, and lots of singing along. There’s a Monday show too. 👍️ Info.

The Bellingham Circus Guild continues its annual Aerial Extravaganza this weekend, a showcase of local and regional aerial artists performing on silks, trapeze, corde lisse, and hoop. Featuring both professional and emerging talent at the Bellingham Circus Guild. Tickets.

FRIDAY

Swil Kanim, Wildflower Funeral Concepts - An uplifting evening of music and storytelling led by renowned violinist Swil Kanim, joined by regional musicians and poets. From 7 to 8:30 pm.

Wreather Madness, Mount Bakery – Stop by during the First Friday Art Walk from 5–8 pm to view 40 imaginative wreaths created by 15 local artists. Vote for your favorites, or even purchase one-of-a-kind wreath.

Friday Music & Trivia →

SATURDAY

Friends of the Everson Library Winter Book Sale, Everson Library – Browse thousands of books, DVDs, and antique finds from 10 am to 3 pm while supporting the Friends of the Everson Library, a nonprofit benefiting the Everson McBeath Community Library.

Winter BrewFest 2025, 2599 S Harbor Loop Dr – Sample craft beers and ciders from 13 local breweries and cideries, enjoy food trucks, live music, and festive fun at this 21+ event from 3–7 pm. Proceeds benefit Shadows Forever Friends’ Zoe Fund, supporting animal welfare across Whatcom County. Tickets.

Santa’s Workshop Fundraiser, The Dance Studio – A festive afternoon with dancers dressed as elves, fairies, and ballet princesses, plus Grinch rides, face painting with Mrs. Claus, and photos with Santa on his sleigh from 4:30–6:30 pm. Proceeds support nine local students traveling to Tateyama, Japan, for the United We Dance cultural exchange.

Saturday Music & Trivia →

SUNDAY

Celebrate the Season: An Evening of Holiday Music, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church – A free one-hour community concert at 6:30 pm featuring Vox Pacifica, the Bellingham High School Showstoppers and String Ensemble, and One Accord a cappella group, plus a dramatic reading of ’Twas the Night Before Christmas and sing-along carols, followed by cookies and cider.

Sunday Music & Trivia →

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